Frank Ordonez/The Post-Standard, file photo 2004Off-track betting patrons gather in the OTB parlor in Bridgeport. Onondaga County is moving toward allowing OTB in Onondaga County. Now, many Onondaga County residents who want to bet go to OTB parlors in surrounding counties.
Onondaga County moved one step closer to allowing Off-Track Betting in the county with a vote today by a county legislature committee.
The Way and Means Committee voted 5-2 to affiliate with the Capital District Regional Off-Track Betting Corp. of Schenectady.
Legislature Chairman James M. Rhinehart, R-Skaneateles, said the extra estimated $1 million in revenue for the county could save as many as 70 jobs.
The vote
The Onondaga County Legislature’s Ways and Means Committee approved allowing Off Track Betting in the county. The vote was 5 to 2:For
Casey E. Jordan, R-Clay
Kevin A. Holmquist, R- East Syracuse
James A. Corbett, R-Syracuse
Patrick Kilmartin, R-Syracuse
Richard M. Lesniak , R-BaldwinsvilleAgainst
Robert D. Warner, R-Baldwinsville
Mark A. Stanczyk, D-SyracuseMark A. Stanczyk, D-Syracuse, disputed that estimate: a $1 million will not save 70 jobs, he said.
Stanczyk said legislators should reject the proposal because of what he called the misery factor.
“When the government gets involved it means it is sanctioning gambling,” he said. “Gambling is not a virtue, it’s a vice.”
Thomas C. Buckel, Jr., D-Syracuse, who abstained from the vote, said his biggest concern is taking revenue from surrounding communities because it will hurt the regional economy. He said he wants to study how much it will hurt the surrounding counties.
Capital OTB, which operates in 17 counties including Madison and Cortland, was chosen by the legislators over Catskill Off-Track Betting, of Rockland County, which also had expressed interest in coming to the area.
Legislators said Capital OTB are more progressive, organized and have an excellent Web site.